That strategy worked, as Bova shot a 70-68-67 205 (8-under) to win the Lincoln Charity Clambake presented by Titleist, FootJoy, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Lawley Insurance by four strokes.

“This is definitely my biggest professional win,” Bova said. “New Jersey has some of the best PGA Professionals. I’m excited for what’s to come.”

Team Gross Winners: Alex Beach and Jeff Werring

Bova, who was a member of the Metropolitan Section prior to joining the New Jersey Section this year, said this is his third professional victory. In 2013, he won the 36-hole Metropolitan PGA Assistant Championship.

Bova’s final score of 205 is the lowest total score by a Clambake winner since Frank Esposito shot a 68-64-73 in 2005.

“This is probably close to the lowest I’ve ever been,” Bova said of his three-day performance.

Early in the round, Bova was in a three-way tie with Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck’s Bill Britton and White Beeches Golf and Country Club’s Jim McGovern through six holes at 5-under. Britton had a hot start, making his 11th hole-in-one in his career on the par-3 third to quickly move up the leaderboard. But Bova strung together a pair of birdies on No. 9 and 10 to pull away from the field entering the final stretch.

For the fourth straight year, Alex Beach of Baltusrol Golf Club finished inside the top-five, placing second at 4-under. Beach won the gross division in a playoff with his partner, Jeff Werring, while Britton, who finished in a tie for fourth at even, won the net division with Rich Mulvey. McGovern, who entered the final round with a one-stroke lead, finished in third at 1-under.